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Have some of us lost our minds?

Given the tragic events that have taken place over the past few weeks, I am often asked the question, “What is wrong with people? Have they lost their minds?” My standard reply is, “Yes, some people have lost their mind, and unfortunately don’t want to take the time to find it.”

My reply is certainly not meant in a joking manner, it is merely to get individuals to really think about the question and to understand why they are asking it. I know that most people do not understand how certain horrible events can happen, and even harder for us to understand is how a fellow human being could be responsible for the end result of those events.

Nonetheless, my not-so-thought-provoking answer to the original question that was asked, “Have some people lost their minds?” is yes and no. No, most people have not lost their minds, though some may act like they have to avoid taking any responsibility for their actions. However, yes, some people have lost their minds due to a severe mental illness. So the real question to ask here is: “Should most of the people who have not lost their mind and do take responsibility for their actions be punished because of those individuals who avoid taking responsibility for their actions or who are mentally ill?” My answer to that question would be a resounding no.

Some Americans have decided the answer to many problems we now face as a country is to not only punish those individuals who do not act responsibility, but to also punish those who do act responsibly. I am certainly not saying that I am “anti” or “pro” guns, alcohol, welfare, etc. However, I will say that I am “pro-responsibility.”

Unfortunately, we have gotten away from holding individuals accountable for their choices, thus leaving them without responsibility for their behaviors. Just because someone kills innocent people with a gun does not mean that the gun is responsible for killing, no more than alcohol is responsible for killing people. It is the drunk drivers who are responsible, as it is the person holding the gun who is responsible for killing.

Same premise goes for the “fiscal cliff” we are about to be pushed over. Why should I be responsible for having to pay more taxes because I work hard every day, and sacrificed to put myself through college, only to be told that I now must take on more responsibility (by paying higher taxes) for those individuals who chose not to work (“chose” being the operant word).

Irresponsible people who use guns and alcohol that kill others is certainly not the same as being pushed over the “fiscal cliff” and being killed financially. However, I am using these points to help others understand how important it is to be “pro-responsibility.” Because if we are not holding a person responsible for their choice of behaviors, we may one day wake up not having a choice, because that choice has already been made for us.

So please, if you have lost your mind, take the time to find it and act responsibly.